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LES (USA & Canada) Letter in Support of Coburn Amendment

The Licensing Executives Society (USA & Canada), Inc. (LES USA Canada) is a professional society devoted to bringing the fruits of innovation to market. Our nearly 5,000 members represent all 50 states and every technology-oriented industry. Successful innovation demands strong intellectual property protection and sound policies. We support the Coburn Amendment to H.R. 1249 to reinstate to section 22 of the Bill the revolving fund language that would remove the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) from the congressional appropriations process, and put an end to fee diversion.

One of the most effective tools at our disposal for reinvigorating innovation, and jump starting the economy with new products, industries, and jobs is to support effective and proper protection for intellectual property. This bill, while making many much needed changes, will impose new burdens on the USPTO. And, the USPTO has long since suffered from outdated infrastructure and inadequate staffing, contributing to a substantial backlog of patent applications. The USPTO must have reliable means for planning for and budgeting to meet the new demands of the legislation, and to address the longstanding backlog of applications. The Coburn Amendment will better ensure that the USPTO is well and properly equipped to do just that. We ask for your support by voting in favor of the Coburn Amendment.